CASTRATION OF BITCHES. 265 



of the lumbar vertebrae. It should be about if inches in length, and 

 should follow the direction of the outer oblique abdominal muscle, 

 which may be divided at the same time as the skin. In the event of 

 the operator desiring to remove both ovaries from one side, which is 

 only possible in small animals, the incision must not be made too tar 

 forward. On the other hand, when an incision is made on either side, 

 each may be placed somewhat further forward. 



The abdominal wall is pierced with the index finger of the right 

 hand as in swine, and the linger is passed towards the under surface 

 of the fifth or sixth lumbar vertebras in order to find the ovary, which 

 is the size of a bean, and lies close behind the kidney. Though the 

 ovary may not be found, the horn of the uterus is almost immediately 

 encountered and should be drawn forward, when the ovar}- will be 

 discovered, and can be nipped or cut off. B}- utilising the left horn of 

 the uterus, the right may also be drawn forward and the ovary 

 removed in a similar way. Both horns of the uterus are then returned 

 to the peritoneal cavit}-, and the skin wound is sutured. 



To prevent the peritoneum stripping away from the abdominal 

 wall and forming a pocket, some operators, after dividing the outer 

 skin and abdominal muscles with a knife, perforate the peritoneum with 

 a director instead of with the finger. The director is then thrust into 

 the abdominal cavity, and the opening enlarged b}- passing the knife 

 along its groove. This prevents injury to the bowel. 



It is often difficult to draw forward the right ovary, especially if 

 the incision be made far forward. Some of the most experienced 

 operators recommend making a second incision in a similar position 

 on the right side, and repeating the process. 



Castration from the linea alba is easier for beginners, and is 

 performed as in swine. When, however, the udder is well developed, 

 or the animal is old, difficulties arise. The animal is placed on its 

 back on a table and anaesthetised. A strong director, with a slightl}' 

 bent end, is passed along the upper wall of the vagina into the uterus. 

 It is certainly not so easy to introduce as in swine, but the difficulty is 

 overcome by pressing the end of the director towards the upper wall 

 of the vagina. Arri\-ed in the uterus, the end is then turned towards 

 the lower abdominal wall, so that its presence can be recognised 

 about ij to 2 inches in front of the edge of the os pubis. At this 

 point an incision ij to 2 inches in length is made close to the linea 

 alba, the peritoneum is pierced with the finger, and with the help of 

 the director the uterus is discovered ; from this the ovaries are easily 

 found, and can be removed by torsion, or by nipping or tearing off. 

 The skin wound must be carefully sutured and treated antisepticall}-. 



